There are many beers and styles by which they are made, and the variety of flavours among the different types is enormous. Also, the different beers are better in different seasons and can be even better if they are served in the correct glass. Due to a large number of beers, trying to pair beer and food with the menu seems a difficult task. However, putting together an excellent beer/food menu in your bar or restaurant can increase your profits considerably. To make sure you find a good beer for your food, you must first know the different flavours of the beer, the four patterns of food and beer pairing, and the types of beer in general.
Regarding beer and food pairing, there are not many strict rules. Trying unique and new pairing can be interesting, and a few pairing is against and have a terrible taste. However, if you want to make the most of your pairing and improve the flavour of the dishes on your menu, follow these guidelines:
- Contrast: Combining food with beer with a different character can be a dangerous game, but it can be very profitable if done well. However, to achieve an ideal combination, you must choose a good quality welsh beer (or lager) or a dish with a strong and dominant flavour such as sweet, creamy, or oily. If a meal has over complicated or too sweet flavours, they mix. You want a dish with a pronounced taste that can shine without restrictions. Oysters and fat are a good example. Oysters have a strong flavour that can withstand the rich flavour of chocolate and lard.
- Complementary: The complementarity of flavours is one of the easiest ways to make a delicious combination of food and beer. Combine rich foods with tasty beers like stouts or porters. Combine salads and fish with a light taste with light beers. Fruits and wheat beers are the perfect complements for desserts such as fruitcakes.
- Cleaning: You can also use your beer as a cleanser for the palate. This type of wedding is ideal for dishes with strong or dominant flavours, such as spicy Indian dishes or fried, greasy foods. A good deal would be, for example, a light beer with spicy Korean roasted chicken, since the refreshing beer provides the necessary relief from the heat. This combination also works in the opposite direction, and you can use fatty foods such as chips or nuts to eliminate the bitterness if any.
- Do not overpower: Take into account the taste of your food and beer. Many medium and dark beers have a rich, intense flavour that can dominate certain types of foods. For example, you do not want to pair salmon with a glass of Guinness, as the taste of beer completely covers the taste of fish.